City of Victoria hosts blood drive

The city of Victoria is hosting a blood drive from 9 to 11:30 a.m. July 22 at the Victoria Public Library, 302 N. Main St.

City employees and members of the community are encouraged to give the gift of life by donating blood to others in need.

Blood donations are critical to saving the lives of others. Each day, the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center needs 600 units of blood to meet the demands of 100 hospitals and clinics in 43 South Texas counties. The Victoria blood bank alone supports 12 surrounding counties.

Volunteer blood donors help the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center collect an adequate blood supply for the city of Victoria and beyond.

Those who benefit from blood donations include trauma victims, hemophiliacs, premature infants, cancer patients, open-heart surgery patients, recipients of organ or tissue transplants, those with sickle cell anemia and many others.

Anyone who is 16 years old and weighs 120 pounds (with a parental consent form) or at least 17 years old and weighs 110 pounds and is in good general health can donate blood. There is no upper age limit for donation.

Donors must present a valid form of identification, such as a company ID badge, driver's license, security badge with a photograph and name, passport, yearbook listing with photo or a bank card or credit card that contains a photograph. Donors are also asked to bring a listing of medications that they take.

After completing a screening process for eligibility, blood donors will receive a mini-physical consisting of a check of their blood pressure, vital signs and iron level.